Liverpool sign Rangers starlet Wilson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson signed highly-rated young Rangers defender Danny Wilson in a deal worth up to five million pounds (7.6 million dollars) on Wednesday.

Hodgson made his first signing since taking charge of Liverpool when he swooped for England midfielder Joe Cole earlier this week and teenage centre-back Wilson became the latest arrival at Anfield just 48 hours later.

Liverpool have been tracking Wilson for several months and the 18-year-old was pulled out of the Scottish champions’ pre-season tour of Australia to allow him to complete his move.

Wilson agreed a three-year contract with the English Premier League team and he told Liverpool’s website: “It’s a great feeling to sign for Liverpool. Wherever you go everyone knows Liverpool FC and I am just very happy to be here.

“This is a massive challenge for me. This is one of the best leagues in the world and I will be playing for one of the biggest teams in the world.”

Wilson made his debut in October 2009 and went on to make 25 appearances, which included Champions League action.

The Scotland Under-19 international won both the PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers’ young player of the year awards.

Although he has only just started his career, Wilson is confident he can make the grade at Anfield.

“Coming here from Scotland, people may say I might not be ready for this, but that is a challenge I want to put on myself and that’s the reason I came here,” he said.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to come here as Liverpool are not a team who come in for you every day, so I can’t wait to get started.

“There were other clubs interested in me who are in the Champions League, but once Liverpool came in for me there was only one team I wanted to go to.”

Rangers had anticipated Wilson’s departure towards the end of last season after the centre-back refused a new contract offer.

Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain said: “Danny was entering the final year of his contract with the club and had indicated that he felt it was in his interests to move on.

“Liverpool’s offer will see the club receive two million pounds up front with add-ons linked to games played, taking the total value of the deal to five million pounds.

“Given that and the value of the offer from Liverpool, it was deemed appropriate to accept that offer given the player wanted to go.”